- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 475,518
- Reaction score
- 45
On almost any other team, Moises Ballesteros would have already played his way to making his MLB debut this year during a red-hot start at the Triple-A level.
The 21-year-old split the 2024 season between Double-A and Triple-A, posting a .289/.354/.471 line with 24 doubles, 19 home runs, and 78 RBI in 124 games. He was sent back to Triple-A Iowa to begin the 2025 season while he continued to refine his defensive game behind the plate.
If nothing else, he is showing he has nothing left to prove at the plate, hitting .381/.437/.566 with 12 extra-base hits in 126 plate appearances to rank among the most productive hitters across all minor league levels to begin the year.
Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images
That said, Carson Kelly (80 PA, .361/.500/.820, 11 XBH, 1.7 WAR) and Miguel Amaya (72 PA, .254/.282/.433, 8 XBH, 0.4 WAR) have exceeded even the wildest of expectations as perhaps the best catching platoon in baseball, leaving Ballesteros without a clear path for promotion.
Veteran Seiza Suzuki (144 PA, .269/.333/.554, 9 HR, 31 RBI) is serving as the everyday designated hitter, further clouding how Ballesteros could potentially fit into the team's immediate plans. However, this situation is not dissimilar from the one the Cubs faced with a young Willson Contreras in 2016.
With Miguel Montero and David Ross holding things down behind the plate, Contreras did not have an obvious fit on the roster. Still, the Cubs found a way to utilize him with occasional starts behind the dish, pinch-hitting duties, and even some left field action.
At a certain point, Ballesteros will simply play his way out of Triple-A and force the team's hand, and that's an excellent problem for the North Siders to navigate. Don't be surprised if they reward his hot start with an early promotion, even if there is no pressing need for his services.
Continue reading...
The 21-year-old split the 2024 season between Double-A and Triple-A, posting a .289/.354/.471 line with 24 doubles, 19 home runs, and 78 RBI in 124 games. He was sent back to Triple-A Iowa to begin the 2025 season while he continued to refine his defensive game behind the plate.
If nothing else, he is showing he has nothing left to prove at the plate, hitting .381/.437/.566 with 12 extra-base hits in 126 plate appearances to rank among the most productive hitters across all minor league levels to begin the year.
You must be registered for see images attach
Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images
That said, Carson Kelly (80 PA, .361/.500/.820, 11 XBH, 1.7 WAR) and Miguel Amaya (72 PA, .254/.282/.433, 8 XBH, 0.4 WAR) have exceeded even the wildest of expectations as perhaps the best catching platoon in baseball, leaving Ballesteros without a clear path for promotion.
Veteran Seiza Suzuki (144 PA, .269/.333/.554, 9 HR, 31 RBI) is serving as the everyday designated hitter, further clouding how Ballesteros could potentially fit into the team's immediate plans. However, this situation is not dissimilar from the one the Cubs faced with a young Willson Contreras in 2016.
With Miguel Montero and David Ross holding things down behind the plate, Contreras did not have an obvious fit on the roster. Still, the Cubs found a way to utilize him with occasional starts behind the dish, pinch-hitting duties, and even some left field action.
At a certain point, Ballesteros will simply play his way out of Triple-A and force the team's hand, and that's an excellent problem for the North Siders to navigate. Don't be surprised if they reward his hot start with an early promotion, even if there is no pressing need for his services.
Continue reading...
